Don’t Try These Repairs at Home!

Doing home repair projects DIY-style can save you money. But there are a few projects that are too complex (or dangerous!) to tackle on your own.

For these projects, you may actually save time and money by calling a home repair specialist (such as Kansas City company A.B. May) to get them done right—the first time.

Plumbing

A leaky pipe can quickly turn into a flooded kitchen, basement, or bathroom—with expensive damage. Worse, the dampness can quickly create a mold problem. When you have a leak, it’s best to call a professional plumber.

Roof work

According to the National Safety Council, more than 33,000 people died from falls in 2015 —and many of those were working on roofs or ladders. Don’t take the risk. Hire a professional to replace roof tile or fix leaks.

Structural work

Adding a wall? Removing a wall? Doing a major basement renovation? To make sure your home meets municipal codes (and you can safely sell it later), hire a professional firm to do the work.

Anything electrical

Unless you’re a trained electrician, leave electrical repairs (including wiring, rewiring, installation, and fixture replacement) to the professionals. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi), there are more than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents every year in the U.S. They recommend looking for an electrician with at least four or five years’ experience.

Garage doors

Garage doors are surprisingly heavy, and the torsion springs are set very tightly. According to Garaga.com, newer garage doors can weigh up to 400 pounds or more. Leave repairs and replacements to the garage door specialists.

Asbestos removal

Asbestos is a known carcinogenic that requires special equipment for handling, especially if it’s old and crumbly. Hire someone with experience removing it.

Any work requiring a permit

If your finished project does not meet municipal codes (or you don’t get the right permit to begin with), then you may need to re-do it later to sell the house. Save yourself time and money by hiring a professional to do it right, the first time.

When you call our service partner,A.B. May, you get help from a live, local employee any time of day, seven days a week—even holidays.